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Edurant Information

Edurant (rilpivirine) is an HIV medicine belonging to the class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and in children weighing at least 14 kg. Edurant is specifically for patients who are new to treatment and have an HIV-1 viral load of no more than 100,000 copies/mL. The active ingredient, rilpivirine, works by blocking the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that HIV uses to make new copies of itself. By inhibiting this enzyme, Edurant helps to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and keeps the viral load at a low level, which allows the immune system to recover.

Edurant Side Effects

The most common side effects of Edurant may include depression, headache, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and rash. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Depression/mental health changes: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
• Hepatotoxicity: Liver problems with symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, or pain in the upper right abdomen.
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Severe skin and allergic reactions, which may include a rash with fever, blisters, mucosal involvement, and swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
• Cardiovascular effects: The Canadian product monograph includes a warning for the risk of cardiac events. Torsade de Pointes is not a commonly listed side effect. However, it may occur with other medications that prolong the QT interval. Rilpivirine has been shown to prolong the QT interval at higher-than-recommended doses.

Edurant Precautions

Do not use Edurant if you are allergic to rilpivirine or any of its ingredients. Edurant should not be used in patients with an HIV-1 viral load greater than 100,000 copies/mL at the start of therapy, as this can increase the risk of virologic failure. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. Edurant can interact with several medications. Do not use Edurant if you are taking any of the following: proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, esomeprazole), certain anti-seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), certain rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifapentine), or St. John's Wort. These can significantly decrease the concentration of rilpivirine, potentially leading to treatment failure. Antacids and H2-receptor antagonists should be taken with specific timing relative to Edurant to avoid reduced efficacy.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Edurant should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus, as lower exposures of rilpivirine have been observed during pregnancy, which may lead to virologic failure. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed their infants to avoid the risk of transmitting HIV.

Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Edurant is a tablet that must be taken once daily with a meal. It is crucial to take this medication with food to ensure proper absorption. If you miss a dose within 12 hours of the time it is usually taken, take it with a meal as soon as possible. If it has been more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Store Edurant in its original container at room temperature, protected from light and moisture. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Edurant?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Edurant.